‘First Crown’ arraigned: police

March 21, 2013

FONDA - An alleged "First Crown" of the Latin Kings was arraigned and taken into custody Wednesday at the Montgomery Count Courthouse,

David Canales, 34, who leads the local members of the Latin Kings in Amsterdam, Johnstown and Gloversville, according to Amsterdam Police Chief Greg Culick, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Canales was originally out on a $25,000 bail from a previous case.

Pleading not guilty, Canales was taken into custody after District Attorney James "Jed" Conboy said the man had several prior convictions, along with time served.

Judge Felix Catena set bail at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

Canales was arrested Nov. 13 in a raid conducted by Amsterdam Police, along with 12 people other people, some members of the gang. Police seized heroin, a pound of marijuana, an "eight ball" (3.5 grams) of cocaine, two stolen handguns, cash and several vehicles.

The Latin Kings are a predominantly Hispanic street gang originally from Chicago, but its membership has spread across the nation.

According to Culick, a First Crown acts like a local gang lord. A statewide leader keeps an eye on the First Crowns, he said, who watch over smaller areas.